Tips for healthy cuticles

Hello everyone!  How is 2012 going so far?

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to take better care of your hands and nails, keep reading for some great tips!

When most people think of nail care they think of their nail problems like peeling.  Nevertheless, your cuticles (the skin immediately around the fingernail) also contribute to nail health and appearance.  Neglected cuticles are prone to hangnails and dryness, whilst bitten or badly cut cuticles may become infected.   Follow these simple steps to proper cuticle care:

·         Avoid using harsh soaps when washing your hands as they can cause dry cuticles.

·         Exfoliate your hands once a week.

·         Keep your cuticles moisturised.  Massage moisturising hand cream onto your cuticles, and slip on a pair of cotton gloves every night before you go to sleep.  Also, apply oil (olive oil or almond oil) on the fingertips and massage your nails with it.  

·         Never cut your cuticles!  Your cuticles perform an important job; they protect the roots of your nails from harmful bacteria.  Push the cuticles back with a non-metal tool, such as an orange stick.

·         Don’t push back dry cuticles.  Try pushing back your cuticles right after you get out of the shower, or soak your fingertips for a short time in a bowl of warm water.

·         There are three steps to the push back cuticles:

1.       Apply a cuticle remover

2.       Use an orange stick to gently push back

3.       Move the orange stick in a circular motion at the base of the nail to remove any dead skin.

·         Although it’s not a good idea to cut your cuticles, it’s fine to cut your hangnails.  Hangnails should usually be cut using nail scissors or a nail clipper; biting or pulling them frequently makes them worse.

It’s simple: healthy cuticles look better than unhealthy ones.  And healthy cuticles also help keep nails healthy.  

XOXO

Euphrasie85